Yeah, the ticks do encourage lots of people to enjoy their escape from here.

But we do have the best swimming holes in the entire US, and those make it worthwhile for me in the warm months. Luckily, ticks don't swim

I've always liked NM too though. I haven't been there in a long time now, but the bits of time I got to spend in the mountains there I really did enjoy. I've often thought about going there for some Spring backpacking, after the ticks show here.